Curious things to do in Copenhagen
Author: Amber-Louise Large
Copenhagen has a loaded must-see list: of course you’ll go for canal walks under glowing lights in Nyhavn and taste pastries so light and fluffy they seem like something out of a fairytale. Of course you’ll pass cherry trees on your way to see The Little Mermaid and pay visits to grand palaces. Yet, if you know where to look, there are also plenty of less obvious, locally loved sights that show off just how quirky Denmark’s capital can be – see more of the city with these alternatives things to do in Copenhagen.
1. Agnete and the Merman sculptures
If you’ve already seen The Little Mermaid, look for Agnete and the Merman.
If you’ve already said ‘hej’ to The Little Mermaid sitting on her rock at Langelinie Pier, go searching for Agnete and the Merman. This is another bronze sculpture centred on another mermaid folk tale. Rather than sitting on top of the water, however, it’s completely submerged. Look down from Hojbro Bridge to see a seaweed-covered merman and his seven sons waiting for their mother Agnete at the bottom of the canal. If the tide is low, the merpeople might just peek above the surface.
Top tip: Agnete and the Merman is just a few minutes’ walk from Christiansborg Palace and less than a mile from Rosenborg Castle, so you can pop by while sightseeing.
2. The Cisterns
If you’re visiting Vestre Cemetery, see The Cisterns nearby.
Beneath the park facing Frederiksberg Palace, under the pattering feet of passersby, lies an echoing chamber filled with shadow and water. The Cisterns are the city’s former water reservoirs. They’re an underworld of stalagmites and sharp shards of light, where artists immerse visitors in exhibitions that might feature sound waves bouncing off pools, silvery illuminations or boat trips under hanging lanterns. See what’s lurking in The Cisterns during your visit – a new exhibition pops up every year.
Top tip: Check opening season before you go: The Cisterns are typically closed between December and March.
3. Cinnamon rolls
If you’re loving Copenhagen’s pastries, grab a cinnamon roll in the city’s oldest bakery.
When in Copenhagen, eat pastries. There are inventive bakeries like HART, where wonderful things are done with croissants (ever heard of a croissant sausage roll?), and modern spots serving simple beauties like Juno the Bakery with its cardamom buns. To get an idea of the city’s long history with flaky-yet-moist, moreish-yet-filling and impossibly tasty treats, go to the oldest bakery in Copenhagen: Sankt Peders Bageri. This place, distinguishable by its orange shopfront, has served baked buttery goodies to the city’s Latin Quarter since 1652.
Top tip: Order the onsdagssnegle (Wednesday snail). Those in the know hold it up as the best cinnamon roll in Copenhagen.
4. CopenHill
If you liked the view from the Church of Our Saviour, see the sights from CopenHill.
CopenHill is a snowless ski slope on top of a waste-to-energy plant. You can take the lift to the top or you can scale the side of the building by clambering up the world’s tallest climbing wall. ‘Multipurpose’ is the main word. At CopenHill’s peak, you’ll face views of the Danish capital, its waterways and, if you squint on a clear day, Sweden. Give yourself a moment to sit and take it all in. While you’re doing that, you might as well try the rooftop cafe’s seasonal pancakes with ice cream.
Top tip: If you’re interested in the view, and not too bothered about the sports, you can access the rooftop and its cafe for free.
5. Bakken
If you had a wonderfully whimsical time at Tivoli Gardens, make the trip to Bakken.
Tivoli Gardens is touted as a destination for dreamers – visited by the likes of Walt Disney and Hans Christian Andersen – but Bakken is less likely to be on a tourist guide. This fun park in the woodlands north of Copenhagen is loved by locals and lays claim to being the oldest amusement park in the world. Think bunches of colourful balloons, wooden shop signs and – a more modern addition – churro stands. Choose a carousel horse or take a spin in a coffee cup for a dose of nostalgia. Meanwhile, thrill seekers head straight to the wooden coaster.
Top tip: If you’re wondering where to eat in Bakken, try Postgaarden. The restaurant is themed after the hotel dining room from Danish TV drama Matador and serves classic Danish dishes.
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